The First United Methodist Church of Vandalia will be launching a contemporary service on Thursdays, beginning on Sept. 16.

Targeted for young adults from 18-35 (though certainly not limited to that age group), the 6:30 p.m. service will offer contemporary music, worship and a message. It will go by the name of Crossfire.

“We want it to be the type of service where participants comfortable, whether they’re clapping their hands, raising their hands or have their hands folded in their lap,” said the Rev. Roger Grimmett, pastor of the church. “We want it to be an encounter with God.”

Grimmett said the service has been in the planning stages for 18 months.

“It came about because we found a number of people who work on weekends,” he said. “They can’t get to church on Sunday, so we wanted to create an option to Sunday morning services.”

The music will be under the direction of worship leader Melody Freeman. She will oversee a team of local musicians – some from the Methodist Church and some from other churches.

Several other members of the church will be involved in other aspects of the service.

One characteristic of the service will be its informality. Though it will be held in the church sanctuary, recommended attire is casual. “No suits allowed,” Grimmett said.

However, that informality doesn’t mean that organizers aren’t passionate about the goals of the service. Printed materials about the service say it will “ignite your spirit, ignite your community, ignite your life.”

For families with young children, childcare will be available.

More information about the service is available by calling the church at 283-3684 or by visiting the Crossfire website at www.crossfireonline.org.